Let me introduce the wonderful Melanie Perry and Julie Hyde Mew
From £30 Lifetime Access to a Thriving £300/Month Club for Creatives
CR38IVES (pronounced “Creatives”) isn’t just another networking group. It’s a curated, close-knit business club designed specifically for professionals in the creative industries—and it’s growing slowly, steadily, and with real purpose.
Based in Maidenhead, Berkshire, founder Melanie Perry launched the membership in May 2022 with a bold (and very low-cost) offer - lifetime access at a heavily discounted price for early adopters.
“I wouldn’t do it that way again, but it got us started.”
Now, with 40 active members, CR38IVES brings in around £300/month and is on a clear path to sustainable growth, without selling its soul.
What’s Inside CR38IVES?
This membership is intentionally high-value and low-overhead. Melanie has built a structure that balances visibility, community, and real business support.
Members get:
✔ Promotion across CR38IVES' social media, newsletter, and email marketing
✔ Monthly Zoom networking sessions
✔ Access to discounted training events
✔ A members-only Facebook group, WhatsApp group, and LinkedIn space
✔ A private members area inside the app
✔ Ongoing business support tailored to creatives
It’s structured enough to be valuable, but light enough to run with ease.
Slow Growth, Big Loyalty
The membership wasn’t built on ads or automation, it was built through relationships.
“We grow by word of mouth and being visible online.”
Most new members come from:
📣 Online mentions
🤝 In-person referrals from existing members
🗣 Networking events where Melanie shows up, adds value, and builds trust
And there’s a reason that growth is slow, it’s intentional.
“We get loads of referrals, but we’re picky. They have to be a good fit for the group.”
That level of curation creates trust. People want to stay because they know the vibe won’t get diluted.
The Hardest Part?
“Gaining new members. That’s still the trickiest bit.”
To help with that, CR38IVES recently:
✔ Introduced a member referral incentive scheme
✔ Began exploring partnerships with other aligned networking groups
It’s all part of a long-term, sustainable growth plan rooted in connection rather than scale-at-all-costs.
What She’d Do Differently
“Not make it so cheap in the beginning. I’d also run more of a proper pre-launch. With doors open at specific times, for specific reasons.”
Still, she’s proud of how far it’s come—and the businesses it’s helped along the way.
“I’m most proud of helping our members grow their businesses.”
What’s Next?
“I want to grow CR38IVES organically and build a large, strong, global creative community.”
Melanie’s approach is clear: build community first, and the growth will follow.
Final Thoughts
CR38IVES proves that you can grow a membership without hustle, ads, or endless content churn. You just need the right people, a strong purpose, and the confidence to grow it your way.
This one’s growing slowly, but with depth, integrity, and creativity at its core.
🎨 Join: mailchi.mp/cr38ives/join-cr38ives
📷 Instagram: @cr38ives
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/share/12FoHcaeyYZ
💼 LinkedIn: melanieanneperry
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